‘Once Upon a Time,’ ‘Sinbad’ land at Super RTL

Family broadcaster nabs 'Tron,' ups 'Clone Wars'

BERLIN — Fantasy and sci-fi programming remains a hot commodity for German family web Super RTL, which has acquired hit ABC series “Once Upon a Time” and the BBC’s “Sindbad.”

The channel, a joint venture between Disney and RTL Group, will premiere “Once Upon a Time” on Sept. 12, following its initial broadcast on Sept. 4 on RTL’s pay TV channel Passion.

Created by “Lost” scribes Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, “Once Upon a Time” is set in both the real world and a fairytale land, following the lives of characters on both sides of the magical divide.

Following its success with BBC productions “Merlin” and “Robin Hood,” Super RTL has added the new swashbuckling series “Sinbad,” starring Elliot Knight, to its lineup.

The web will also air Disney’s animated spin-off “Tron: Uprising” plus new episodes of “Glee” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

Presenting Super RTL’s new lineup Thursday in Cologne — and celebrating the web’s 15th anniversary — CEO Claude Schmit said, “We have been the undisputed market leader among children for 15 years, that is a notable success in the TV landscape. Thanks to our shareholders RTL Group and Disney, we are well equipped for the coming season.”